Amy McDonald poses with Xien Almaquer during a humanitarian trip to Estancia, Philippines, following the destruction caused by Typhoon Haiyah, known as Yolanda in the Philippines.

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When Typhoon Haiyan tore its way across the Philippines late last year, Amy McDonald, like many other people, watched in awe at the storm's devastating effects on the homes and lives of the people living there. The difference for McDonald, however, was the people impacted by the storm were not strangers to her; they were people she had served and loved.

McDonald returned from serving in the Philippines-Iloilo mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in May 2012. When she saw what was happening with this record-breaking typhoon, she was immediately concerned for all the ...